Hi!

As promised, starting with the Pregnant Akshu series. I am planning to post multiple one shots regarding different stages of her pregnancy. The OS will be complete in itself. I will move phase by phase.

DISCLAIMER: I have never been pregnant or noticed a pregnant person up close for long. My knowledge is limited with what I have read or noted from movies/books/surroundings. Do ignore if some details are not as adequate.

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OS 1: What is wrong with Akshu?

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Akshara Goenka sat in the management cabin of Akshara Dance Academy. She felt extremely hot. Setting the temperature as low as possible and the ceiling fan at its highest, she fanned her face using the file on the desk. The door opened and in walked her brother Kairav with the accounts file of the Academy.

Kairav: Akshu! Beta! Ye kya kiya hua hai? Lagta hai Udaipur se seedha Kashmir teleport ho gaya hoon?

Akshara: Kya hai bhaiya? Itni toh garmi hai?

Kairav: Garmi hai pr itni bhi nahi hai..

Akshara: Pta nahi...shyd maine thodi der pehle dance kiya tha na so shyd thoda hot feel ho raha hoga..

Kairav: Accha...chal remote de ab...

He set the temperature back to a normal setting. A while late Akshara got up and switched off the fan. Kairav looked up from the file and raised his brow.

Akshara: Hawa zyada lg rahi hai...

Kairav: Abhi thodi der pehle to garmi lg rahi thi..

Akshara: Garmi toh hai pr...itni speed me hawa nahi chahiye mujhe..

Kairav: Kya?

Akshara: Uff! Aap nahi samjhoge...mai bahar jaa rahi hoon..

Akshara left the cabin while Kairav muttered- 'isse kya ho gaya hai aaj?'

..............

Akshara reached her home after handling the work at the Academy. She was feeling irritated and sick at the same time. Maybe one was the reason for the other but she could not explain exactly how she was feeling. Manjiri saw her enter from the kitchen and called.

Manjiri: Akshu! Idhr aa...

Akshara went into the kitchen.

Manjiri: Kaisa raha tera din?

She asked handing her a glass of water.

Akshara: Thik tha maa...aap batao..

Manjiri: (smiles and looks down) mere din me kya hi alag hota hai...roz jaise hi tha...(shakes her head to remove the sad thoughts) Ye sb chod...tune aaj rocking day nahi kaha? Kya hua?

Akshara: Kuch nahi maa...bs thoda ew ew sa lg raha hai ..

Manjiri: kya?? (comes closer and feels her forehead) Bukhar to nahi hai....kahin bahar se kuch khaya na tune?

Akshara: Nahi maa...apne lunch pack kiya tha na...wahi bs...

Akshara said looking sideways. Manjiri squinted her eyes.

Manjiri: Aur?

Akshara: (sighed) Aur icecream....but bs ek...man kr gaya tha maa..

Manjiri: tu aur teri ice-cream!

Akshara: Accha maa...mai change krke aati hoon...

Manjiri: Nahi...tu aram kr..

AKshara: pr kaam?

Manjiri: Ho gaya saara almost...tujhe thik nahi lg raha na...rest krle beta...

Akshara hugged her understanding mother-in-law. She was actually like a mother to her. Akshara was smiling till the aroma of fresh made 'batti' reached her nose. She felt a bile form in her mouth and left the kitchen.

An hour later, Manjiri entered Abhira's room to check on Akshara but saw her missing.

Manjiri: Akshu! Beta Akshu

She was about to leave when she heard the sound of flushing and a small voice followed after it.

Akshara: Mai yahan hoon maa...

Manjiri got worried and rushed in. She saw Akshara leaning against the bathroom wall with her forehead pressed against the cool tile. She looked pale and tired.

Manjiri: Akshu? Chalo utho...sabash!

She made Akshara stand up. Akshara cleaned her mouth and washed her face. Manjiri supported her out of the bathroom and made her lie on the bed. Akshara put her head in Manjiri's lap.

Manjiri: Tu bohot bimar lg rahi...chal hospital chalte hai

Akshara: Himmat nahi hai maa...

Akshara muttered sadly.

Manjiri: Accha...(caresses her hair) toh mai na Abhi ko phone kr deti hoon...vo-

Akshara: NAHI! (she shouted and rose up. Lowering her voice, she continues) Maa Abhi ko please nahi....aapne dekha hai na ki meri hichki nahi rukti toh hi vo kitna pareshan hone lagta hai...mujhe fever ho jata hai to vo raat bhar nahi sota....usse pata chalega to sb kaam chodkr aa jayega aur bohot tension lega...uski waise bhi koi conference chal rahi hai...Abhi toh chod kr aa jayega lekin phir papa ko accha nahi lagega..

Manjiri nodded.

Manjiri: thik hai lekin phir mai jo khada laungi tujhe peena padega.. Aur haan....aaj dahi-chawal kha le...pet ke liye light rahega..

It did not sound appetizing to Akshara but she did not want to argue and just nodded. Manjiri quickly made her a drink and post that, she made her sleep by slowly massaging her scalp. She left the room once she realised Akshara was asleep. She ran into Nishtha on her way out.

Nishtha: chachi!! Bhabhi hai kya andr? Mujhe usne kuch poochna hai...

Manjiri: Nishu...Akshu to so rahi hai...

Nishtha: Iss time?

Manjiri: haan uski tabyat kharab hai thodi...urgent kaam hai kya?

Nishtha: Nahi, aisa bhi kuch nahi hai...let her rest..

They both leave.

.................

Abhimanyu reached his home. He had left as soon as the conference ended while the other Birlas stayed back for dinner and socialising. He entered the house, excited to see his wife after a busy day. He spotted his mother eating dinner with Neil and Parth. He went towards them and greets them with a smile.

Manjiri: Aja haath muh dhoke....maine teri favourite batti banayi hai...

Abhimanyu: Isliye mai uss boring dinner ke liye nahi rukta....Sir kitna bhi expensive caterer kyu nahi hire kr le....jo swad apke haathon me hai na..vo unme nahi hai..

Abhimanyu loved showering complements on his mother. She didn't have many people in the house who spoke with her unless they needed something. The seniors were always rude or curt with her. He knew these small words of appreciation were her day's highlight. His eyes also roamed around the house.

Neil: kisse dhoond rahe ho bhai?

Abhimanyu: Kissi ko bhi nahi..

Parth: accha...

The brothers give him a knowing smile. Nishtha came there.

Nishtha: Chachi! Mujhe bhi bhook lagi hai..

Manjiri: Haan toh baith na...mai deti hoon..

Nishtha: Nahi aap kha lo...mai lelungi..waise bhabhi kahan hai? Abhi tk so rahi hai kya?

Abhimanyu frowned. Akshu was sleeping at this hour? Was she fine?

Manjiri's eyes widened, she gestured at Nishtha to keep quiet but she did not understand it as she was looking down to fix herself a plate.

Nishtha: Unki tabyat thik nahi hui kya?

Abhimanyu: Kya? Akshu ki tabyat thik nahi hai!??? Mujhe kissi ne bataya kyu nahi...!!!?

He rushed towards their room, skipping two stairs at a time. Manjiri smacked her head. 'Gayi bhains pani me!'

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Abhimanyu barged into his room and noticed her wife was sleeping. She had turned to her side and rolled up. She looked so small curled up in a corner. He went near her and felt her forehead. He then checked her heart rate. Caressing her hair and kissing her forehead, he got up to bring the home machine to check blood pressure.

Meanwhile, Akshara felt her hand being shifted in her sleep. She slowly gained consciousness and woke up.

Akshara: Abhiii...

She tried to get up but Abhimanyu was quick to his feet. He kept his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from getting up.

Abhimanyu: Akshu, aram se...kya hua hai tumhe? Aur mujhe inform kyu nahi kiya??

Akshara: Kya inform krna tha? Mai toh ekdum rocking hoo..

She got out of his hold and stretched her arms. Smiling brightly, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Akshara: Thak gayi thi bs toh so gayi...ab neend bhi poori ho gayi aur thakan bhi gayab...iske liye tumhe conference me disturb kyu krti...

Abhimanyu: (cups her face) you never disturb me baba...you can never...aur tumse judi koi baat choti nahi hai mere liye...you can call me for any reason in the world...infact you don't even need a reason..

He pecks her forehead.

Akshara: Accha..tumne dinner kiya?

Abhimanyu: Nahi...tum chalo saath me hi kr lete hai...

Manjiri: Koi zarurat nahi hai neeche aane ki..

Manjiri said, entering their room followed by a staff member carrying a tray full of food. She asked Akshara about her health. Abhimanyu went into the washroom to freshen up while Manjiri started to arrange the plate.

Akshara: Pta nahi maa...abhi neend se uthi toh bohot sahi lg raha tha...ab wapis irritation si ho rahi hai...aur ye kya smell hai...phir se ew ew sa hone lg raha hai....

Manjiri stopped putting ghee on the batti and turned to Akshara with worried eyes. This constant change in her feelings and health was worrying her. Akshara felt a bile rise again and rushed out of the room. Since Abhimanyu was in their room's washroom, she ran out to the closest room which was Nishtha's.

Nishtha: (shocked at the sudden opening of the door) Oh...Bha-

Akshara did not pause and ran into her washroom. After a empting the contents of her already empty stomach, Akshara felt weak.

Nishtha: (calls from outside) are you okay bhabhi? Should I call bhai?

Akshara: N-nahi...

She flushed and washed her face in the basin. She opened the cabinet to use some mouthwash when her eyes landed on a different packet. Akshara froze!

What if?

Could she be...?

How?

'You really don't know how?' mocked her inner conscious.

Akshara wiped her face and got out, deep in thought.

.................

Akshara was in the kitchen chopping up some fruit when Abhimanyu barged in .

Abhimanyu: Akshu? Are you really fine?

Akshara: Ha-haan..

Abhimanyu: To yahan kya kr rahi ho...maa ne bhi bataya nahi ki tum room se kyu gayi...ho kya raha hai..

Akshara: Kuch nahi bs I was in mood for something light..

Akshara said and hugged him.

Akshara: (in mind) sorry Abhi but let me be sure first...

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The next day, Akshara got up early and rushed to the pharmacy. She got multiple home tests. An hour later, she was sitting on the floor of her washroom. The sticks laid flat on the counter while she waited. Her husband was excising in the room. Akshara was nervously chewing her bottom lip when Abhimanyu called from outside.

Abhimanyu: Akshu?! You ready?

Akshara: Bs do minute...

Abhimanyu: Jldi...mujhe bhi ready hona hai....aur haan, aaj sath me challenge hospital...

Akshara: haan haan...bs ho gaya...

Akshara checked her watch and quickly rushed to see the results. Her eyes widened as she took in the two clear lines in all of those test except one which showed three..must be broken. She kept a shaky hand on her stomach. Was she? Was she pregnant?

Tears pooled her eyes and she rubbed her flat stomach gently. A sudden knock broke her day dream.

Abhimanyu: Baba...are you fine?

Akshara: haan...

She quickly hid those tests and came out. Abhimanyu took her in his arms.

Abhimanyu: Roz to tumhe itna time nahi lgta....kl se dekh raha hoon...are you really fine..

Akshara: Haan Abhi...stop worrying.

They both got ready and left for the hospital after breakfast. After serving two years at a charitable trust and another year at a reputed hospital in Udaipur, Akshara had rejoined Birla Hospital. Abhimanyu parked his bike and entered with his wife. He loved that he finally got what he wished for since the day they married- them being together everywhere- home & work.

...............

Abhimanyu: Kya hi faida hua same workplace ka? Kahan reh gayi ye Gharelu doctor?!

Abhimanyu was pacing in his cabin. It was his free time and so was Akshara's. She usually rushed to his cabin during this time but today she wasn't there. He waited for her and then called her but she did not pick up. He sat in his seat, sulking like a child when Akshara entered.

Abhimanyu: Aiye aiye Mrs. Abhimanyu Birla...finally time mil gaya apne pati ke liye..

He said while making a sad face. Akshara giggled at this but quickly placed a hand on her mouth when he shot her a mock-angry look. She held her ears and slowly walked towards him. Easing onto his lap, she locked her hands around his neck.

Akshara: Sorry docman...tumhari biwi ko na ek patient ne rok lia tha...

Abhimnayu: (holds her waist possessively) Sabko meri Akshu kyu chahiye?! Vo bhi free time me...ye toh humara time hai na...I don't like to share...

He muttered while placing his head on her chest. His words worried Akshara bit but then she corrected herself.

Akshara: (thinks) Tu bhi pta nahi kya kya sochne lgti hai...Abhi apne hi baby se kyu jalega

She remembers the moment when she realised looking at the box of sanitary napkins in Nishtha's room that she missed her period. The possibility and the home tests. Then, she approached her trusted friend at the hospital and asking her to run some tests. The results had just come in and she couldn't be happier.

Akshara was a little nervous and did not know what she the future held but one thing was for sure. She was going to enter a new phase of life. Everything was going to change but one things that she was sure won't change would be her husband's support.

..........................

I am sorry! I tried.

This OS is basically Akshara struggling with mixed feelings and bodily changes & finding out the big new. Next story plans are:-

1. Telling Abhimanyu and family

2. Taking care of a pregnant Akshu (cravings & health)

3. Insecure Akshu (might throw a jealous Akshu into the mix which was requested earlier)

4. Scare during pregnancy and possessive Abhi for pregnant wife.

5. Baby shower and delivery

Do you people want anything else to be included? Let me know >>>>>

xoxo